Two views taken from the 11th floor of Rail House, showing the station in the weeks leading up to the shutdown. The first view is northwards, the Chester and WCM lines are to the left, whilst the Manchester line diverges right and heads for Sandbach. The Liverpool and Manchester Independent lines can be seen diving under North Junction.

The southerly view covers the South Junction and the Diesel Depot, with the Independent lines again at the bottom of the shot. Salop Goods Junction signal box is on the extreme right.

Similar views to the two previous ones, but taken after the start of the seven week shutdown. The old North Junction layout has largely disappeared, lifted out by the huge crane seen to the right. An Up Express is passing through on the Liverpool Independent line, whilst a Stafford shuttle service stands outside North Junction box. These trains ran via the Chester Independent lines, which can be seen to the lower right, and reversed into the station.

Similar activities are in progress at the southern end of the station.

A short time later, down at track level, North Junction is seen devoid of track, but with fresh ballast laid out ready.

Turning round, the new track is spreading northwards from the station.

For the duration of the work, four Class 40 loco's were reprieved and transferred to departmental stock. Here, 97 408 (40 118) ferries two electric loco's from Crewe Electric Depot on the Chester line, to the yard south of the station, all the overhead wiring in the station area being isolated whilst work was in progress.

A little further along the Chester line, several less fortunate members of the class await their fate in Crewe Works.

The old Crewe North Junction signal box. The WCML (or rather, where it will be soon) passes in front of the box, which now forms part of the Crewe Heritage Centre.

Moving north towards Crewe Coal Yard signal box, an Up express hauled by 87 030 "Black Douglas" swings onto the Up Liverpool Independent line to bypass the works. The train will rejoin the main line at Basford Hall Junction.

The rear of the train seen in the previous shot descends the gradient to pass underneath North Junction. On the right the Down Independent emerges, the line is covered by protective scaffolding as one of the "stacking grounds" for the new layout was positioned immediately adjacent to this and large track assemblies were being craned into position directly over the running line.

A Down HST powers up the gradient as it approaches Coal Yard box, running on the Down Liverpool Independent line.

A selection of views as the new North Junction layout is craned into position: Looking towards the station, with the old North Junction signal box on the right;

The Down Manchester line diamond crossing is 'flown in';

The Manchester line junction viewed looking North;

Looking into the station with the new, extended, Platform 6 on the right.

One of the Stafford shuttle trains approaches Crewe station, along the Down Chester Independent line.

Three more views of the North Junction layout taking shape. The method of installation, prefabrication just off-site and delivery to the required positon by crane, saved an enormous amount of of time.

Without this the job just could not have been done in the available 7 week shutdown.

The points were assembled complete with operating mechanisms, all set up and tested, and requiring only minor final adjustments once laid into their final positions.

Two views, looking south and north, from within the station itself...

... taken from 'four-foot' of the Up Fast.

The layout at the south end of the station was not as advanced as at the north end as these two photos show.

The first looks into the station, with the "North Stafford" bays on the right, whilst the second is southwards. Crewe South Junction signal box can be seen on the left.